WHITEFISH, MT – Secretary of State and Chief Elections Officer Linda McCulloch met with the Flathead Area Young Professionals (FAYP) to discuss the 2014 General Election and the importance of being engaged and active in the elections process.

“This is the first general election in decades where we haven’t had a citizen-proposed initiative on the ballot, but that doesn’t mean voters won’t be faced with critical issues,” Secretary McCulloch told the group during a luncheon in downtown Whitefish. “The legislature placed two issues on the ballot, and one takes away an important voter right.”

McCulloch said LR-126, which proposes to end Election Day voter registration in Montana, is an overt attempt by the Montana Legislature to deny people their right to vote. She has adamantly opposed the idea during past legislative sessions, and says voters should be aware of the history of all issues and candidates on the ballot.

“You don’t invite people to an event and not let them through the door,” Secretary McCulloch said. “More than 2,600 people in Flathead County have used Election Day voter registration to cast a ballot, and it’s our civic duty to ensure the door stays open for future voters.”

Since late registration was passed in 2006, more than 29,000 Montanans have used it to register and vote on Election Day. McCulloch says Election Day voter registration is used by every type of voter in every county across the state.

“If you’ve ever relocated or been faced with a life-altering event, you know that registering to vote is the last thing on your mind until Election Day,” Secretary McCulloch said. “Allowing people to register and cast their ballot through the close of polls ensures that all voices are heard, despite our hectic, hardworking schedules.”

McCulloch reminded the FAYP to register to vote and to take the time to review the Voter Information Pamphlet (VIP). The VIP is mailed in October to every household with at least one registered voter, and will include arguments for and against each ballot issue and general information about voting in a statewide election.